Microsoft has inked a deal with audio technology licensor Dolby Laboratories to use its Dolby Digital Plus audio technology to Windows 8 tablets and PCs.

Microsoft will include Dolby Digital Plus 5.1-channel decoding and Dolby Digital two-channel encoding in all PCs and tablets licensed to run Windows 8 operating system.

The partnership enables the playback of Dolby-encoded audio content across a growing number of Windows-based PCs and tablets.

Microsoft Windows and Windows Live chief financial officer and chief marketing officer Tami Reller said with the incredible growth of online download and streaming media, particularly for video content, this agreement ensures a great audio experience for those consumers who wish to download or stream TV and movies containing Dolby Digital Plus.

"Additionally, all of their existing and future home videos recorded with Dolby Digital Plus audio will work great on Windows 8 right out of the box," added Tami.

Developers will be enabled to deliver better experiences and cinematic sound through Windows 8 APIs in desktop and Metro-style apps, including those developed for x86 and ARM architectures, Dolby Laboratories said.